India and Myanmar on Thursday held the Second Annual Defence Dialogue in Naypyitaw, focusing on training, capacity building, post-earthquake assistance, and cultural goodwill exchanges.

The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Myanmar’s Chief of Armed Forces (Training), Major General Kyaw Ko Htike. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the talks reflected growing cooperation between the two neighbours in defence and security domains.

The dialogue comes a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Myanmar’s State Security and Peace Commission Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. Both leaders had reviewed bilateral ties, with PM Modi reiterating India’s readiness to support Myanmar’s developmental priorities. Discussions covered trade, development partnership, defence and security, and border management.

PM Modi had also expressed hope that Myanmar’s forthcoming elections would be fair and inclusive, with participation from all stakeholders. He reaffirmed India’s support for a “Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned” peace process, emphasizing that dialogue and consultation remain the only sustainable way forward.

India has consistently underlined the importance of connectivity and infrastructure projects with Myanmar under its Act East and Neighbourhood First policies. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, progress in these projects would deepen people-to-people linkages while strengthening regional integration.

India and Myanmar share deep cultural, religious, and linguistic ties, and defence cooperation has expanded significantly in recent years. Multiple institutional mechanisms, including the Annual Defence Dialogue, have been established to ensure regular engagement and collaboration.

The Second Annual Defence Dialogue underscored the commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral security ties while advancing regional peace and stability.